Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that his country could hold peace talks with Ukraine, ruling out speaking directly with President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he described as illegitimate.

Responding, the Ukrainian leader said Putin was afraid of negotiations and was using cynical tricks to prolong the nearly three-year conflict.

It was reported that U.S. President Donald Trump has mounted pressure on both sides to end the fighting since assuming office on January 20, threatening tougher sanctions on Russia while claiming that Zelensky is ready to negotiate a deal.

“If (Zelensky) wants to participate in the negotiations, I will allocate people to take part.

“If there is a desire to negotiate and find a compromise, let anyone lead the negotiations there… Naturally, we will strive for what suits us, what corresponds to our interests,” Putin said, calling Zelensky illegitimate because his presidential term expired during martial law.

According to Zelensky, there was a chance to achieve real peace, stating that the Kremlin chief was frustrating efforts to stop the fighting.

“Today, Putin once again confirmed that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and does everything possible to prolong the war,” Zelensky wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Kyiv has warned against being excluded from any peace talks between Russia and the U.S., accusing Putin of wanting to manipulate Trump.

Putin also claimed that the fighting would end in two months or less if the West cut its support to Kyiv.

The conflict has shown no signs of de-escalating despite Trump’s promise to enact a quick ceasefire once in office.

Russia said on Wednesday it had downed more than 100 Ukrainian drones in an overnight attack, while Kyiv’s military said Moscow had launched an overnight drone attack of its own.

Russia’s army said Tuesday that its forces had captured a large village in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, the latest territorial gain for Moscow’s advancing troops.